Telephone Enquiries
+44(0) 1843 609 699
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]
Telephone Enquiries
+44(0) 1223 244 555
[email protected]
[email protected]
Telephone Enquiries: +44(0) 1223 244 555

Downton Abbey Highclere Castle Special Events

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 - Fully refundable and amendable up until 14 days before travel

Highclere Castle - Real Lives & Film Sets exclusive tours in September & October 

A truly exclusive event at Highclere Castle with strictly limited numbers each day.

Included on this fantastic small group day trip from London;

  • Small group experience, with a maximum of 6 people per vehicle, accompanied by a Downton Abbey expert guide.
  • Entry to Highclere Castle & Gardens, with a special tour by expert Highclere Castle guides
  • A signed copy of Lady Carnarvon's photographic book about the real Downton Abbey
  • An English afternoon tea prepared by Highclere's chefs and served by the butlering team
  • See the main filming locations including Downton Village and Church
  • Explore hidden filming sites that the big coaches cannot get to in the stunning Cotswolds

The perfect day out for Downton Abbey fans as we look forward to the release of the second Downton Abbey movie! A small group exclusive full day tour, accompanied by a Downton superfan guide, taking you to the actual filming locations of the award winning drama including Downton village and Downton Abbey itself, the magnificent Highclere Castle.

Leaving London we head westwards into the delightful Cotswold hills. This beautiful part of the country with its honey coloured limestone cottages doubles up for Yorkshire in the hit series. Along the way you and a small group of Downton fans will be treated to fun facts, behind the scenes gossip and a wealth of history about the area you will be travelling through. Meandering off the beaten track we will come across the Swan Inn in the village of Swinbrook where Tom Branson and Lady Sybil were persuaded not to elope. Over the rolling hills to beautiful Shilton, we arrive at the pub John Bates was working in when he left Downton under pressure from his estranged wife Vera, breaking Anna's heart in the process.
 
We then move on to Bampton which takes on the role of Downton village in the show. Your guide will now take you on a walk showing you where many of the storylines were filmed. This includes St Mary's Church which doubles for St Michael and All Angels. Here, us viewers witnessed weddings, funerals and a jilting! Who can forget a heartbroken Edith, or a laughing Mr Carson and Mrs Hughes being showered by confetti and the beautiful wedding of Mary and Matthew.
 
Walk down to the village green to see Mrs Crawley's house and the terraced home of Mr Molesley. See where the War Memorial stood and the two village pubs, The 'Dog and Duck' and the 'Grantham Arms'. See the location of the village post office and enter the Cottage Hospital which now houses a Downton-related gift shop.
 
After you have enjoyed your informative small group tour of the filming locations there will be time for lunch in Bampton before we make the journey over to Highclere Castle, home of the Eighth Earl of Carnarvon. This journey will give you the opportunity to ask your guide about their favourite characters, best loved scenes and storylines, along with the funniest quotes.
 
For this tour the castle and grounds are open exclusively to a small limited number of guests and your eye-opening tour of the house begins when you arrive. Head up the drive, through the beautiful landscaped gardens, and along the gravel to the main door of 'Downton Abbey'. The tour of the house includes the location of the grand staircase and saloon, Robert's library room, the parlour, sitting room, breakfast room and dining room. Upstairs you will see the bedrooms, noticing where Kemal Pamuk had his untimely death and where footman Jimmy Kent was found in an embarrassing position with Lady Anstruther.
 
In the cellars one will not find Mrs Patmore and Daisy working on dinner for the household and guests, instead there is an Egyptian Exhibition focusing on Tutankhamen and the involvement of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon and the opening of the tomb in 1922 along with leading archaeologist Howard Carter. There is an extensive display of antiquities from the Valley of the Nobles and the Valley of the Queens.
 
After the tour has finished enjoy Afternoon Tea style refreshments served by Lord and Lady Carnarvon's staff in the Coach House. There will be sandwiches and quiches and all manner of delicious cakes. Feel free to explore the grounds and gardens before we return back to London.

 

Disclaimer: International Friends Downton Abbey day trips and tours are not endorsed, sanctioned or in any other way supported, directly or indirectly, by Carnival Films, NBC Universal or Julian Fellowes and his representatives. 

Please note that Highclere Castle is a private residence, and as such reserve the right to close part or all of the Castle, Gardens or exhibition at short notice. 

 

 

 TimeDestination

Departs

Arrives

7:45am

9:30am

Central London

Cotswolds filming locations

Departs

Arrives

10:30am

10:45am

Cotswolds filming locations

Bampton

Departs

Arrives

12:30pm

1:30pm

Bampton

Highclere Castle

Departs

Arrives

4:45pm

6:30pm

Highclere Castle

Central London 

 

Please note that all timings above are estimated and assuming normal traffic conditions. Due to the changeable nature of road conditions, we cannot guarantee a precise time when you will arrive back in London.

On the return to London your driver will drop you at your selected morning pick up point.  

Please ensure you arrive at your allocated departure point at least 10 minutes before your departure time.

 

TimeDeparture point
  07:15am Outside The British Museum main entrance on Great Russell Street (MAP). 
Nearest tube stations are Holborn or Tottenham Court Road.
  07:30am Outside the Hard Rock Hotel, Marble Arch (formerly the Cumberland Hotel) (MAP) 
Nearest tube station is Marble Arch
  07:45am Outside Holiday Inn Kensington Forum, 97 Cromwell Road (MAP) (wait on Cromwell road by the bus stop, not outside the hotel entrance)
Nearest tube station is Gloucester Road 

If you intend to travel to our central London meeting points by public transport, you can plan your journey in advance on the Transport for London website  - click here

This tour is not available to book online, please email [email protected]


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